Caramel Apple Slices

But let’s take a moment and be really, totally honest with each other: as great as they are, they can be a pain to make and even to eat, especially for anybody who’s had dental work. (My fellow apple-lovers with crowns, caps, fillings and braces, raise your hands!) At best, making them is a sticky, messy process that never seems to go to plan, and at worst, you’re left with an apple with a barely-there shimmer of caramel that doesn’t add much taste but does make them much more difficult to bite. So should we all just give up and relegate caramel apples to the realm of romantic comedies and fall-themed photo shoots? Of course not! Not when we’ve found a better way: Caramel Apple Slices. Not only are we making these Caramel Apples much more portion-appropriate and easier to enjoy, we’re adding additional coatings and toppings to take them to the next level and really complement that caramel. (Chocolate, anybody?) Watch how easy they are to make now, then read on for our full, step-by-step recipe.

DIRECTIONS

Line a sheet tray with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Slice each apple lengthwise into ½-to-¾-inch-thick slices.

Pat the apple slices dry with a cloth or paper towel.

Keeping the side of the blade parallel to the apple slice, insert a paring knife about 1 inch into the skin side of each apple slice to make an opening. Insert a popsicle stick into the opening of each apple slice to serve as a handle for each apple slice. If the apples release some of their juices when you insert the handles, pat the apple slices dry again.

Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe measuring cup. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted. This process may take 90 seconds or a little longer, depending on your microwave.

Pour some of the melted chocolate onto a small plate. Dip one side of an apple slice into the chocolate. Pour more of the melted chocolate on the top side of the apple slice. Use a spoon or small spatula to coat the sides of the apple slice in chocolate until the entire slice is evenly coated. Place the coated apple slices on the lined baking sheet.

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Repeat this process with the remaining apple slices. If needed, refresh the melted chocolate by heating it again in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each one, until the chocolate is melted again.

Place the caramel bits and water in another microwave-safe cup or bowl. Melt the caramel bits in the microwave in 20-second intervals, until the caramel is completely melted. After each interval, carefully – it will be hot! – remove the caramel from the microwave and stir. This process may take 40 seconds or a little longer, depending on your microwave. If necessary, add more water ¼ teaspoon at a time, to achieve the correct drizzling consistency.

Keeping them on and over the lined baking sheet, drizzle the chocolate-coated apple slices with the melted caramel. Top with the chopped peanuts and/or shredded coconut.

Place the coated and topped apple slices in the refrigerator until their chocolate shells harden.

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How tempting do these apples look?! Using slices instead of whole apples just makes them so much easier to make and to eat, and the flat surface of the slices is so much simpler to top and decorate. Once you have the technique down, you can go absolutely crazy with your toppings, too! Just think about the possibilities: butterscotch. White chocolate. Sprinkles. Other kinds of nuts. Crumbled candies. The autumn sky’s the limit!

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Now it’s your turn— what do you think?! Have you ever made caramel apples this way before? Do you think you’ll give this method a try? What toppings will YOU put on your apples? Tell us if you give this recipe a try and let us know how they turn out for you!